Hand tool



May 27, 1930. w. A. BERNARD 1,760,627

HAND TOOL Filed Aug. 4, 1926 20 to operatethejaws thereof.

Patented `May 27,- `1930 .UNITEDSTATES maren PATENTQFFICE "WILLIAMA BERNARD, on NEW HAVEN, ooNNno'rIcUrr, AssreNon `'ro THE WILLIAM l `scmoLLnonN COMPANY, or NnwnAvnN, eoNNnerIeUT i f "HAND Toonv 1 i `This invention relates tothand tools, and "more especially to a type of hand toolwhere a powerful leverage is required to operate the jaws thereof. "One form ofhand tool requiringA this advantage is .shown in the drawings, and isA of the typegenerally known as bolt cutters or clippers., n i

The principal objectofthis invention is to improve the general construction of devices of the type` to which this invention relates. Another object of this invention is to provide a hand toolofthe `boltfclipper type of generally improved structure which will be economical to manufactureandelficient in use.^

StillI another object of this invention is to provide aliandtool wherein a powerful leverage is producedby simple and effective means "A still further `objectof this invention is to` provide efficiently operating means for supporting and centering theloperable parts pfartsare'pivotednoncoincidently` i To these and other ends the invention con `sists inthe novel features and combination `of parts'to be hereinafter described i and claimed. j 1

l In theaccompanying drawings: n `Fig.` l-"is atop plan viewofa handtool embodying thefeatures ofthisinvention';

Fig;l 2 is a left handfside view ofthe tool l Fig.k 34 isa bottom plan view of a` portion Fig. Alis affrontendview ofV thesame;

i Fig, jislalongitudinalsection on line 5-5 "of Fig. i; l i i n `514,0 Fig, 6 is a section online 6-6 Figifl,

certain parts being broken'away'forthe sake of clearance, theparts of the toolbeing illustrated in thepositions assumed thereby when the jawsfare in open position; l A 1 i Fig' is a transversefsection online 'Tf-v7 Aofliigrl; and `f f Hm n Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 ofFigul.

"The hand tool which I have selectedfor j illustrating the feature'slof this invention :is of the type generally known as bolt clippers,

of such a hand tool, especially when the operateupon the jaws between which a bolt or the like maybe disposed and acted upon to `wherein a powerful leverage is required to sever it. To reduce strains tending to distort the bolt to be cut, it is desirable to provide lthe cutting `tool with means whereby the cutting edges of the jaws ,will `equally enter the `bolt on both sides thereof; It is also desir eral cooperating jaws 10 and 11 having abuttlngcutting edges 12 and 13 and rearwardly extending sha-nk` portions-14 and 15 respectively. The shank portions 14 and 15 are operatively connected to handle levers 16 and 17 respectively; 'fhe jaws10 and 11 are slightly angularlyinclined as at 11 from the longitudinal axis ofthe tool at the cuttingV -edges 12 Vand 13 whichinthisiinstance are disposed adjacent the under surface of these v jaws and extend a short distance rearwardly `from thefront end thereof. The top surface of each of the jaws at 'this point is cupped downwardly, as at 18, and merges into `the cutting edges) Shoulders 19 are formed at the rearwardly cutting edges by foriningthe shank -portions 141 and 15` of thinnerinetal Vthan that ofthe jaws 10 and1`1.` A strap 20 extends from one jaw to the otherrearwardly ofthe shoulder Y19,1and is substantially of the fsarne dimension `and thickness as the dimension of the height of saidshoulder. .Screws 21 pass through the ends of the strap 20, and through each shank portion, being threaded within openings of another strap 22which extends acrossandbetween the jaws upon the top surface thereof.` Lock nuts 23 threadedly V"engage the protruding ends ofthe screws 21 to prevent: theloosening thereof.` B v the above described means the jaws are pivotally connected together andfto theistraps, and may rock or-rotateirelatively to each other when the outerends of the shanks 14 and 15` are-moved atoward' tor `away from each other; A laterallyextending recess 24 `1s :provided Yin eachijaw adjacent ,the shoulders u ment `wriil open the'jawsl'O and 1-1 and cxx- 19. These recesses coincide, and a coil spring 25 is inserted therein about which the jaws rock or rotate in an easy and smooth manner. The rear ends of the shank portions 14 and 15 are bifurcated as at 26 to straddle transverse extensions-31 of a pair of intermeshng gear segments 27 ,and 28,.

The handle levers 16 and 17 are pivoted to the rear ends of the shank portions by pivot pins 29 which pass thmough the bifurcated end 30 of each handle, the hifurcated :end 26 of each shank portion, and the extension 31 of each gear segment. A pair of straps 32 and 33 connect the gear segments 27 and 28 together, being disposed upon different sides thereof and pivoted to the segments by pivot pins `34. The teeth 39 of the gear se ments 27 and 28 are arranged lon an arc w ich is concentric with the center of the pivot pin ,3 4 and arearwardly `directed portion 35 of each ar segment is secured to the adjacent hand ver by a rivet orrthe like 36. A movement Linlitirrgk stop is provided comprising the adjuming screw 37 which .threads into ione -of the handle levers, being Vadapted to be locked Vagainst loosening by the lock nut 38. The head of the screw 37 is adapted to v abut a boss 40 located opposite the same upon the other handle lever. In this instance .the boss 40 is of rubber thereby providing a cushionafoot to prevent the noisy operation thereof, .and which vis lcemented or otherwise secured to the handle, lever. By adjusting the screw 37 the amount of contact between the cutti edges 12 and 13 may be regulated soas to o set the weer thereof dueto sharpening thereof. When the jaws rare .closed as in Fig. 1 the cutting edges 12 and 13 are substantially -ia abutting relation, the shankportions 1 4 `and 15 are spread apart and the hand-le levers are closely adjacent each other, the limiting stop parts being in abutting relation-to limit further closing of the jaws. At this ,time the pivot pins 29 and 34 are in alignment transverscly of the tool, the pins 34 bein disposed nearer to the longitudinal axis o the tool und the pins 29 being farther away.

handle levers 16 and 17 Yarejpread (part to open the jaws 10 and 11, the meshing teeth 39 of the gear segments-27V and .28 insure that leach pivot vpin 29 will rotate about the adjacent pivot pin 34 at the same speed cause the handle levensto move inl unison. At the same time fthe pivot :pin '29 will be drawn rtownird Vthe longitudinal .axis =of the bool wherby theislmnksM andv 115 fwrll be moved toward each other, and by .so doing will rock or rotate the jaws wand 11 about the pivot xpoint nrt r.the spring25., which movi?n pand che cua-ing 'edges i2 and is.

` 'The und lever arrangement above described, 'insures the piovision cfa very iful flevma'ge, especially fas-.the jaws earpproadh the closed position, at which time 'the movement thereof will be relatively slow due to the arrangement of the parts adjacent the pivot pins 29 and 34.

The provision of the straps 20 and 22 instead of a single pivot pin between the jaws fi.

`l() and 1l insures the continued use .ofthe tool without danger of breakage or delay in repairing the same, this constructionI having been found to be one of great strength. Such a vconstruction also provides for economical VVreplacement `of parts Ain vthe exceptional cases when breakage does occur, it being merely required to replace one or both of the straps instead of possibly a new pair of jaws, as would be required in the case of pivoted together jaws as noted above. It will :be -apparent .that without the yprovision .of .the meshing Ateeth 39 of .the-gear segments 27 and 28 or an equivalent mechanical structure the interconnected parts .of this tool, for instance a symmetrical relation in respect lto .the lon-A gitudinal axis of the tool at all positions of the parts .during the operation thereof; thus the cutting `edges 12 and 13 will each move in unisonv and equally toward .each 4other to .engage opposite sides of the bolt lor the like to vbe-m1t,-each uniformly cutting into the same toward the center thereof, and thereby avoiding twisting strains thereon tendi-ngvto distort the remainder of the bolt.

Inasm-uch yas the gea-r `.segments 27 and 28k are secured to Athe handle levers by both the pivot pins 29 and the rivets 36, no movement of one. relative to the other -is possible, and therefore the gear teeth of the segments could obviously be formed directly upon the [handle levers, and the -straps32 and 33 could then be Apivoteddirectly to the handle in the same relative positionias above described.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all fthe .details :shown -but is capable of modification and variation within thespirit `of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

1Q In .a hand tool, a 1pair voff jaws rockable iabout acommon center, a pair of strap members pivotally secured to r.Said jaws and extending across .thefcomzmon center, shank -portions having bifurcated ends extending rearwardly from said jaws and ,diverging kthere- :from when said jaws are in closed position, a handle lever liifu-rcated at one Aend pivot- `al-lfy .connected to a bifuncated ends of ,said

shank portions, gear segments secured to said handle members at the bifurcated ends thereof, a pair of strap members pivotally secured to said gear segments by pivot pins, said last mentioned strap members and pivot pins being retained in position by said bifurcated handle members.

2. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws rockable about a common center, each of said jaws having a rearwardly directed shank portion, each of said shank portions being bifurcated at the inner end thereof, a U-shaped handle member pivoted at its inner end to each jaw, a gear segment member disposed within the U-shape of said handle members and secured thereto, a portion-of each of said gear members being disposed within the bifurcated 4portionrof said jaw shank portions, and a `pivot pin passing through the end of each 2b of said handle members, said jaw shanks and said gear segment members, and connecting means between said gear segments, pivotally securedto each, to retain the teeth thereof in meshed relation.

3. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws rockable about a common center, each of said jaws having a rearwardly directed shank portion, each of said shank portions being bifureated atthe inner end thereof, a U-shaped handle 3o member embracing the bifurcated end of each shank portion and pivoted at its end to each jaw, a gear segment member disposed within theU-shape of said handle members and secured thereto, a portion of each of said gear members being disposed within the bifurcated portion of said jaw shank portions which is embraced by said handle members, said gear segment members being disposed wherebyA the teeth thereof will mesh, and a pivot pm passing through each of said handle members, said shank portions and said gear segments at the adjacent portions thereof to pivotally secure said parts together.

4. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws rockable 5 about a common center, a pair of strap members pivotally secured'to said jaws and eX- tending across the common center,shank portions having bifurcated ends extending rear- `wardly from said jaws and diverging there- H fromwhen said jaws are in closed position,

` a handle lever bifurcated at one end pivotally connected to the bifurcated ends of said shank portions, gear segments secured to said handle members between the bifurcated ends thereof and extending between the bifurcated ends of said shank portions, common pivoting means to connect each of said shank portions,

` said handle levers and said gear segments to- 1 gether, and a-pair of strap members pivotally secured to said gear segments by pivot pins to retain the teeth of said gear segments in meshed relation.

j `In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of July, 1926.

i "a WILLIAM A. BERNARD. 

